National Cycle Route 468
- 15 km
- 154 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 154 m
- 15 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders looking for a short 15 km route with moderate climbing of 154 m.
National Cycle Network Route from Pengam to Rhymney in Caerphilly, 14.7 km with 154 m ascent.
Starting near Pengam station, the route passes through Cefn Fforest, Gilfach and Bargoed by 2.8 km. It continues through Aberbargoed, Brithdir, Cwmsyfiog and New Tredegar before reaching Rhymney at 14.7 km. Elevation rises from 143 m near the start to 286 m near the finish, with 60% of climbing in the first half. The longest steep section over 5% gradient is 0.1 km at the start near km 0. The surface is mainly paved (70%), with a small section of gravel or unpaved (1%) and 29% unmapped. The route follows a mix of paths (44%), cycle paths (33%), quiet streets (15%) and minor main roads (4%). Cycle lanes or paths cover 5.2 km. There is 0.6 km on main roads, some without cycle lanes. Facilities include cafés and shops near Bargoed at 2.4-2.8 km with Morrisons supermarket and petrol station, Rossi Cafe and toilets. After Bargoed there is a 2.7 km stretch without cafes, shops or water until 5.6 km. Other cafés and pubs are near 7.5 km and 13.9 km. Stations at Bargoed (2.9 km) and Rhymney (13.5 km) offer bailout points. Nearby peaks include Twyn Cornicyll (8.3 km) and Twyn Abertysswg (11.2 km).
Highlights
- Route from Pengam to Rhymney
- Climb from 143 m to 286 m
- Near peak Twyn Cornicyll at 8.3 km
- Longest no shop stretch 2.7 km after 2.9 km
Along the route
Places passed
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 44% path · 33% cycle path · 15% quiet street · 4% main road
- Cycle paths
- 5.2 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- 70% paved · 1% gravel or unpaved · 29% unmapped
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 4% descending · 72% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 2.4 kmMorrisons · supermarket · 80 m off route
- 2.5 kmMorrisons · petrol station · on the route
- 2.8 kmRossi Cafe · café · 110 m off route
- 2.8 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 7 kmSheppard Pharmacy New Tredegar · pharmacy · 40 m off route
- 7.5 kmHarvey's Cafe & Takeaway · café · on the route
- 12.5 kmRhymney Convenience Store · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 12.9 kmGulf · petrol station · 180 m off route
- 13.9 kmThe Brewery Club · pub · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 2.9 km — Bargoed (station), 60 m off route
- 13.5 km — Rhymney (station), 90 m off route
Worth a stop
- 2.9 km — Bargoed Cenetaph War Memorial (monument)
- 8.3 km — Twyn Cornicyll (peak)
- 11.9 km — Mining Wheel (monument)
At the start
- Smiths Arms · pub · 160 m
- Pengam · station · 420 m
- JJs Gilfach · convenience store · 890 m
- Hong Kong Fish Bar · fast food · 980 m
At the finish
- Farmers Arms · pub · 370 m
- The Brewery Club · pub · 780 m
- Rhymney Oriental · fast food · 420 m
- Yummies Kebab & Pizza · fast food · 410 m
- Premier - Rhymney Convenience Store · convenience store · 460 m
Stay after this ride
- The Rhymney House Hotel · hotel · 750 m from the finish
- Parc Bryn Bach · campsite · 2.6 km from the finish
- Tredegar Arms Hotel · hotel · 3.4 km from the finish
- James' Place @ Dowlais · hotel · 3.6 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 1 h 03 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 17–19 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 2.7 km stretch without café, shop or water from 2.9 km to 5.6 km
- 0.6 km on main roads
- Steepest 500 m with 10.9% gradient at start